'Our children need us': SUSD's Michelle Rodriguez delivers State of the District speech

It's time to put aside the petty bickering and differences and start focusing on Stockton students across the large district, the superintendent reiterated this week.

Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez has been trying to convey that message since her first meet-and-greet with students, parents and staff in June. She pushed that message again at Stockton Unified's first-ever State of the District at Franklin High School on Wednesday morning.

"We cannot be divided," Rodriguez said. "We cannot do this work unless every person in this room decides that they are going to put aside whatever it is that is happening and focus on the children."

Board President AngelAnn Flores and Vice President Kennetha Stevens were on hand to provide an update on the embattled school district's efforts to get back on track. The district has become the laughingstock of districts across California, many trying to learn from the mistakes Stockton Unified has made.

Rodriguez is hoping to work with the board, community members and students to bring a thriving education back to the district she just took over.

Clerk Sofia Colón, Area 3 Trustee Alicia Rico, and Area 5 Trustee Donald Donaire were also in attendance. Noticeably absent were trustees Cecilia Mendez and Ray Zulueta.

Photos of students were plastered on the walls of Franklin's library. Yellowjacket cheerleaders enthusiastically welcomed people on the way in. Students part of Chavez High's mariachi band and Fremont Elementary School's jazz combo performed for the crowd.

"If you were at my first meet-and-greet or any of my listening sessions, I promised you that whenever you came to my events, you would be surrounded by students, children," Rodriguez said, "because they are our constant reminder of why we actually do this work."

Flores was the first to take the podium in front of an energized crowd. In her speech, the board president focused on three R's — restructuring systems, reforming culture, and rejuvenating staff.

"When I stepped into this role, my mission was clear: to rebuild, restore, and demand results," Flores said. "Our journey has not been for the faint of heart. It has demanded hard decisions, quick actions, and an unyielding commitment to a cause we hold dear ... the education and the future of our students."

Board president, superintendent call for fiscal responsibility

Throughout the past year, Flores said the district has "made strides in ensuring fiscal responsibility by eliminating millions of misspent funds on legal fees."

"This has allowed us to allocate those resources back into programs and initiatives that directly benefit our students," she said.

Rodriguez also touched on Stockton Unified's financial outlook during her address.

In the current 2023-2024 school year, the district is operating with a total general fund budget of $409.9 million. About 0.2% of that total is spent on capital and outgoing expenses, while 7% is spent on books and supplies, 11% on services and operating expenditures, and 81.9% on salaries and benefits.

The superintendent said districts normally spend more money on salaries and benefits than any other category, and the community should expect to see that number grow next school year. She said 148 positions that were funded by Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) dollars will be moved to the district's general fund.

Going forward, Rodriguez said the district is looking to cut back on the 11% total spent on services and operating expenditures.

"We need to reduce the amount of consultants," she said. "We need to reduce the amount of outside services that we are going after so that we can actually invest in the staff that we have ... the 4,460 staff members who are here every day."

Literacy a top priority

A common goal the superintendent shares with Stevens, second in command of the board, is increasing reading proficiency and literacy rates among all students. At Stockton Unified, 62% of students in grades 9-12 are reading three grades below their grade level, 51% of students in grades 6-8 and 33% of students in grades 3-5.

About 25% of kindergarteners, first-graders, and second-graders are reading two grades below level.

District leaders want to change that.

"We are committed to ensuring that every student, by the end of third grade, will read and comprehend at a proficient level," Stevens said. "Literacy is the cornerstone of all learning and it is our duty to equip students with the essential skill of reading, and allowing them to explore and embrace knowledge."

While the superintendent recognized there is more progress that needs to be made — including addressing chronic absenteeism and dwindling enrollment numbers — she called on those in the room to celebrate Stockton Unified's achievements so far.

She also encouraged them to tune out the "noise" that has long surrounded the district.

"What we need to do, what we have to do, is value what is happening and use that as a springboard to move forward," Rodriguez said.

Focusing on the "whole child, whole family, and whole community" is what she believes will ensure student success.

"The children in this room ... they only spend 14% of their day with us," the superintendent said. "So if we do not support their families and the community, we will never accomplish what we need to accomplish."

Addressing systemic barriers such as language barriers and poverty are how she proposes to do so.

"They (systemic barriers) are there for a reason so they're not easy to move. Status quo is there for a reason because it benefits someone ... what we have to do is we have to say, 'We're going to remove those systemic barriers and do what's right for children,'" Rodriguez said. "Our children, our families, and our community need us."

Record reporter Hannah Workman covers news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at hworkman@recordnet.com or on Twitter @byhannahworkman. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow.

This article originally appeared on The Record: Stockton Unified holds first State of the District event